New York Gov. David Paterson quits race

POLITICS

Jimmy Vielkind and Rick Karlin, Hearst Newspapers

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, February 27, 2010

Photo: Richard Drew, AP

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New York Gov. David Paterson, accompanied by is wife Michelle, speaks at a news conference in New York, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, where he officially ended his election bid, citing an accumulation of distractions, but saying he had never abused his office. less

New York Gov. David Paterson, accompanied by is wife Michelle, speaks at a news conference in New York, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, where he officially ended his election bid, citing an accumulation of ... more

Photo: Richard Drew, AP

New York Gov. David Paterson quits race

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Hammered by a widening scandal involving a top aide, Gov. David Paterson on Friday bowed to political pressure and abandoned his campaign for a full term as New York's governor.

"I am being realistic about politics," Paterson said during a news conference at his New York City office. "It hasn't been the latest distraction ... it's been an accumulation of obstacles that have obfuscated me from bringing my message to the public.

"There are times in politics when you (need to) step back. And that moment has come for me."

Paterson offered a full defense of his performance since taking office in March 2008 after the abrupt resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who was implicated in a prostitution scandal. But the Democratic governor has faced a wave of pressure since a scandal involving one of his closest aides, David Johnson, accelerated on Thursday.

Paterson suspended Johnson and initiated a probe of his own administration after the New York Times reported that the governor and a New York State Police officer assigned to his security detail contacted a woman who was pursuing a domestic violence complaint against Johnson. The woman subsequently dropped the complaint.

Paterson said he is "looking forward" to an investigation by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

"I give you this personal oath: I have never abused my office - not now, not ever - and I believe that when the facts are revealed the truth will prevail," he said.

There was a collective sense of relief among Democrats - even those with long ties to Paterson who have kept their criticism of his campaign and administration private - at the announcement.

"I think it's entirely appropriate," said state Sen. Neil Breslin, a Democrat. "And his course of action should be that if any of the allegations against him are true, that he should resign."

Democratic Party leaders and officials immediately turned their eyes to Cuomo, the son of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, who now becomes the party's presumptive favorite to win the nomination.

Democrats breathed a collective sigh of relief Friday about avoiding a potential primary, as well as shedding a potential albatross.

"I'm sad personally for the governor, but in terms of the political ramification for the party, I think we avoid what could have been a very difficult primary," said Jay Jacobs, the Democratic state chairman.

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